Chapter 13
Evie
“I can come get it from you, if that works,” I add.
“Hey, Evie,” Quint says, joining us.
“Hey, Quint.”
“What’s that?” he asks, nodding at the picture in Zane’s hand.
“It’s a picture we’re all going to sign for our super fan,” Zane says.
“It’s Tessa’s birthday this weekend,” I explain. “Zane said you all would sign it.”
“Of course he did,” Quint says with a grin.
“If it’s a problem,” I start.
“It’s not a problem,” Zane interjects.
“Yeah, the guys will be happy to do it,” Quint says.
“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
Another guy joins our group. There’s no mistaking that he plays football; he’s huge. “Owen, this is Evie,” Zane says. “Evie, this is Owen, our center.”
I nod and put out my hand. Owen reaches out a hand, but Zane bumps shoulders with him, knocking his hand away. With cheeks burning, I drop my hand. “Well, thank you for doing this. I really appreciate it.” I take a step back, wanting a hasty retreat.
“Where do you want me to bring this?” Zane asks before I can disappear.
“Oh, you get done at 7:30?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
I meet Zane’s eyes. “Where?” I try to ignore all the attention on me, but it’s getting harder to ignore. Owen’s stare feels intimidating, and I can literally feel the eyes of Zane’s teammates boring into me.
“Here. Let me see your phone,” Zane says, putting his hand out.
I hand him my phone without thinking, then immediately regret it. “Is this a trick so you can put your number in my phone?” He looks down at me with a grin and winks, causing my heartbeat to speed up. “I already told you about that,” I say in a quiet voice.
He finishes whatever he was doing on my phone and hands it back to me, but he doesn’t let go when I try to take it. My eyes shoot to his. “And I would never go against your wishes,” he says just as softly. “I just pulled up the practice field location and bookmarked it, so it’s saved in your maps.”
He releases his hold, and I take the phone and look down at it. I see the map pulled up with a dropped pin of where the field is. I immediately regret my words. “Sorry,” I say just as softly.
“No worries, Evie. I’ll earn your trust; you’ll see.”
I want to tell him that it’s not about trust; it’s that I’m supposed to be dating or sort of dating someone. I’m not the kind of girl to be unfaithful, but I don’t feel like that’s something I can share right now. I settle for nodding. “Thanks. I’ll meet you at this field tonight at 7:30.”
He grins. “I’ll be looking forward to it. See you then, Evie.”
“See you,” I say quietly as I watch Zane, Owen, and Quint join their teammates.
When they get back to the group, Zane pauses for a moment and looks back.
Our eyes meet, and I know I should look away; but I can’t.
Somebody says something to him and elbows him in the stomach, and he turns away, breaking our eye contact.
I glance down at my phone and realize I’m almost late for my next class.
I book it and get there just as the professor starts.
I pull out my notebook and take notes, but I have a hard time focusing.
As soon as class is done, I pack up and head out, thankful to be done with classes for the day.
I head back to my room to drop off my books and then head back out to cover my shift at the coffee shop.
Thankfully, it’s not a long one, just from two to seven.
It should give me enough time to get over to the field by 7:30.
The shop is busy, unsurprisingly. Thursday night feels like a Friday night at the shop. We stay busy, and I don’t even realize what time it is until Rachel comes over to the counter where I’m working on a drink. “Weren’t you supposed to be off at seven?”
I don’t look up from the iced shaken espresso I’m making. “What time is it now?”
“7:35.”
Panic hits me. “Really?” I finally glance over at her. I hand the drink off to Bisch. “Hey,” I say when he finishes with the customer. “I didn’t realize what time it was. I was supposed to get off at seven. Is it okay if I clock out?”
“Yeah, Girl. I’m sorry. I thought you were my eight-o’clock tonight.”
“No worries.” I’m already tugging off my apron. I’m not sure how long it’s going to take to get to the field, it’s not close.
“You okay?” Rachel calls out after me.
“I’m good, just late for an appointment.” I call over my shoulder as I head towards the back door.
“Okay. See ya!”
“See ya!” I call back and push open the door.
I pull out my phone and pull up my maps, looking for the dropped pin Zane put in for me.
For the second time, I wish I really did have Zane’s number in my phone, so I could call him and tell him I’m late but I’m coming.
Panic hits me that he’s going to think I didn’t show up and will leave.
If he does, I have no way of contacting him and no way of getting Tessa’s present.
I start jogging in the direction of the field.
I really wish I was in jogging clothes. I’m not.
I’m currently wearing black leggings, a white t-shirt, and no sports bra.
I mean, I’m not large chested, but still.
..who wants to run across campus without wearing a sports bra.
I think that’s going to be the least of my worries, though.
About ten minutes into my jog, it becomes evident that I am not wearing the right kind of shoes for this.
While I love these black Chuck Taylors that I found at a Goodwill, right now, I think they’re the worst shoe ever.
They are definitely not running shoes. I check my phone and see that it’s almost seven-fifty.
I pick up my pace. By now, my shirt is soaked with sweat, so much so that I can feel rivulets running down my back.
My braid is plastered to my head, and I keep trying in vain to keep the sweat off my forehead.
In short, I’m a mess; but I don’t think about that.
I think about what’s going to happen when I get there, and he’s gone and I don’t have a present for my friend’s birthday tomorrow.
The field finally comes into view, and I’ve never been happier to find a place.
I slow down and scan the field. My heart sinks in my chest when I don’t see anybody.
It’s obvious practice ended some time ago.
I bend over and try to suck in oxygen, making a mental note to get back to running.
I’ve let it go since moving to Florida, and it shows. It really, really shows.
“Evie.”
I turn at the sound of Zane’s deep voice. Elation fills me when I see him walking towards me. “You’re still here,” I say in relief, still trying to catch my breath.
“Did you run the entire way here?” he asks, his eyes running over me. I suddenly feel embarrassed at the state I’m in. I’m a mess.
“I’m so sorry. I was supposed to get off at seven but wasn’t watching the time, so I got off late.” I take another breath, trying to still my pounding heart.
His eyebrows rise. “You ran all the way here from the coffee shop?”
I nod. “I can’t believe you’re still here.” I put a hand on my chest and blow out a breath. “Thank you for waiting for me.”
He still looks concerned. “You didn’t have to run here. I would have waited all night for you if I needed to.” My eyes fly to his in surprise. He looks down over my outfit again. “Your feet are going to hurt tomorrow after running that distance in those shoes.”
I’m not really sure what to do with his concern, so I wave him off. “It’s fine.”
“Don’t you have a car?”
His question takes me by surprise, and it takes me a second to respond. “No.”
He runs a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. “I didn’t know you didn’t have a car. I would have never asked you to come all the way out here.”
I wave off his concern. “It’s not a big deal. I need the exercise anyway. If anything, this reminded me of just how out of shape I am.” His frown increases, but I continue because I don’t want him to feel bad about this. “So, do you have the picture?” I ask excitedly.
He stares at me a moment longer, and I do my best not to fidget under his intense gaze.
Finally, he turns to look down at the back pack hanging off his shoulder, and I relax slightly now that his attention isn’t on me.
He unzips his bag and pulls out the picture and hands it to me.
I take in all the names and numbers scrawled out all over the picture.
I grin because Tessa is going to love this!
“Thank you so much! She is going to die when she sees this.”
“I hope not,” he says, but he’s still not back to how he normally sounds. I decide to just let him go, so he can get back to his night.
I take a step back. “Well, thank you again and thanks for waiting for me to get here. I’ll see you.” I turn to walk away, but his voice stops me.
“Where are you going?”
I turn back in confusion. “To my dorm.”
“I’ll give you a ride back; my truck’s right over there.”
I’m already shaking my head. “I’m good; thank you.”
“Evie.” He takes a long step, closing the distance between us.
“It’s already starting to get dark. I’m not letting you walk back to campus by yourself.
Besides, your feet have to be hurting.” It’s like him saying the words activates the pain in my feet.
They’d been fine right up until he said something.
Now they ache, and I’m pretty sure I have blisters forming on the back of each of my heels. “Come on.”
“All right.” I figure it’s the smart thing to do for my feet’s sake. And as brave as I sound, I really don’t want to walk back to campus in the dark, alone.
“This way.” He nods towards the parking lot.
I know right away which truck is his; it’s the only car in the parking lot.
I follow him to the truck, and he surprises me by opening the passenger door for me first. I climb up into his truck and close the door behind me.
He drops his bag in the back and then climbs into the driver’s seat.
As soon as the door closes, I get a whiff of something.
..deodorant maybe? It smells manly and sexy, and my heart thunders in my chest. He pulls out of the parking spot, and we start towards the main campus.
I try to think of something to say, but he beats me to it. “How’s your week going so far?”
“Good. It’s Thursday, so that’s a win.” He nods. “How about you? Are you ready for the game this weekend?”
Another nod. “Yeah.”
He's kind of quiet, which I’m not used to.
But I don’t push it. Surprisingly, the silence isn’t so bad.
I relax a little as he drives. Thankfully, the drive isn’t too long, or I probably would have fallen asleep.
When he pulls up in front of my door, I clutch the picture to my chest. “Thanks again, Zane. I really appreciate this. And thanks for the ride.”
He turns those piercing green eyes on me.
“Anytime, Evie.” I get the feeling he really means that.
He climbs down from the truck and walks around to my door and opens it for me.
He puts out his hand, and I debate a moment whether or not to take it.
I finally decide not to overthink it and reach for his hand.
His hand is strong and sturdy and calloused.
..and feels really good. I pull my hand from his as soon as I’m on the ground.
“Thanks, Zane.” I don’t look back as I head to my dorm.